Open AccessRapid Net Carbon Loss From a Whole‐Ecosystem Warmed Peatland
Author(s) -
Hanson Paul J.,
Griffiths Natalie A.,
Iversen Colleen M.,
Norby Richard J.,
Sebestyen Stephen D.,
Phillips Jana R.,
Chanton Jeffrey P.,
Kolka Randall K.,
Malhotra Avni,
Oleheiser Keith C.,
Warren Jeffrey M.,
Shi Xiaoying,
Yang Xiaojuan,
Mao Jiafu,
Ricciuto Daniel M.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
agu advances
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2576-604X
DOI - 10.1029/2020av000163
Subject(s) - peat , boreal , bog , environmental science , ecosystem , atmospheric sciences , climate change , carbon cycle , atmosphere (unit) , range (aeronautics) , carbon dioxide , carbon fibers , decomposition , greenhouse gas , global warming potential , physical geography , climatology , ecology , geography , geology , meteorology , biology , materials science , composite number , composite material
To evaluate boreal peatland C losses from warming, novel technologies were used to expose intact bog plots in northern Minnesota to a range of future temperatures (+0°C to +9°C) with and without elevated CO 2 (eCO 2 ). After 3 years, warming linearly increased net C loss at a rate of 31.3 g C·m −2 ·year −1 ·°C −1 . Increasing losses were associated with increased decomposition and corroborated by measures of declining peat elevation. Effects of eCO 2 were minor. Results indicate a range of C losses from boreal peatlands 4.5 to 18 times faster than historical rates of accumulation, with substantial emissions of CO 2 and CH 4 to the atmosphere. A model of peatland C cycle captured the temperature response dominated by peat decomposition under ambient CO 2 , but improvements will be needed to predict the lack of observable responses to elevated CO 2 concentrations thus far.